Maarg Manthan · Topic 17.5

Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Science & Technology › Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India · Topic 17.5

The Department of Science and Technology, DST, was set up on 3 May 1971 under the Ministry of Science and Technology to promote new areas of science and technology and to act as the nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting scientific and technological activities in the country. The Ministry of Science and Technology has three departments: DST, the Department of Biotechnology, set up in 1986, and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, set up in 1985. DST funds research through bodies such as the Science and Engineering Research Board, supports technology development through the Technology Development Board, runs the INSPIRE programme, and oversees autonomous institutes such as the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. It also looks after the Survey of India and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India

At a Glance

Set up 3 May 1971
Ministry Science and Technology
Sister departments DBT, DSIR
Funding body SERB
Mission NM-ICPS, 2018
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the account of science awards. It opens the part of the macro on institutions, beginning with the department that coordinates science policy and funding. Previous topic: Awards Related to Science in India. Next topic: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

What Is DST and What Does It Do?

Aspect	Details
Establishment	3 May 1971. The Ministry of Science and Technology was formed in 1985 with DST, and later also DBT and DSIR
Role	Nodal department for science and technology, supporting basic research, new technology areas, international cooperation and science communication
Funding	Gives grants to universities and institutions through schemes and statutory boards
Autonomous institutes	Indian Institute of Astrophysics (Bengaluru), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Dehradun), Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (Lucknow), Raman Research Institute, S N Bose National Centre, Bose Institute and others
Statutory bodies	Science and Engineering Research Board and the Technology Development Board
Other bodies	TIFAC for forecasting, National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (1982), and the Survey of India
Ministry leadership	Headed by a Union Minister, with a Secretary for the department

Which Programmes Does DST Run?

INSPIRE: talent building scheme from 2008
NM-ICPS: National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, approved in 2018 with Rs 3,660 crore for five years, creating technology innovation hubs at institutions
Technology Business Incubators: NSTEDB supports incubators and start-ups
National Mission on Nano: Nano Mission since 2007, as in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Origin and Basic Concepts
Climate and Himalayas: National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change and on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
Women in science: KIRAN and WISE programmes
Science popularisation: Vigyan Prasar, a DST body, and NCSTC
International cooperation: Indo-US Science and Technology Forum and bilateral programmes with many countries

What Else Should You Remember?

DBT: Department of Biotechnology, set up in 1986
DSIR: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, set up in 1985, which is also the parent of CSIR
Principal Scientific Adviser: an office that is separate from DST but works on policy with it
PM-STIAC: advisory council for the Prime Minister
Science Express: a mobile exhibition on trains
Biotechnology: see DBT’s role in biotechnology topics
Anusandhan National Research Foundation: a new funding body that is to take over SERB’s role
Pradhan Mantri Vigyan: new schemes like Vigyan Dhara merge several earlier schemes
Vigyan Dhara: a 2021 to 2026 scheme that integrates capacity building, research and technology development
Mission Innovation: India is part of this global clean energy research initiative
Technology Development Programme: supports products ready for industry
Science and Technology Parks: infrastructure for start-ups
National Science Centre: museums run by the National Council of Science Museums, which is under Ministry of Culture
Science diplomacy: DST leads cooperation with countries on science
Geospatial data: the Survey of India falls under DST, as in Survey of India
Link: funding board details are in Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
Link to council: see Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Ministry history: a Department of Science and Technology was first set up within the Ministry of Education and later made independent in 1971
Technology missions: DST also runs missions on supercomputing with MeitY, as in Supercomputers and Their Applications
Parliamentary oversight: a standing committee on science, technology, environment and forests examines its budget
Budget: the Ministry gets a small share of the Union Budget compared with defence and space
Technology Development Board: a body under DST that finances commercialisation, as in Technology Development Board
Atal Innovation link: NITI Aayog and DST run separate but related innovation schemes
SERB link: funding of projects is covered in Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Year: 1971
Departments: DST, DBT, DSIR
Bodies: SERB, TDB, TIFAC, Survey of India
Current affairs link: ANRF and NM-ICPS
Common errors: placing CSIR under DST or DBT under the Health Ministry

As an analytical point, DST is the main funder of academic science, but India’s research funding remains small and scattered. Linking DST’s programmes with industry and the new research foundation can raise impact.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Role Nodal department
Bodies Under DST
Schemes INSPIRE, NM-ICPS

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Next topic: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Key People and Terms

DST Department of Science and Technology
DBT Department of Biotechnology
DSIR Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
NSTEDB National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board
NM-ICPS Cyber-physical systems mission
TIFAC Technology forecasting council

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

DST set up 3 May 1971.
DBT 1986; DSIR 1985.
NM-ICPS: 2018, Rs 3,660 crore.
NSTEDB: 1982.
Survey of India is under DST.

Do Not Confuse With

DST and DSIR Academic research versus industrial research
DST and CSIR Department versus its sister department’s society
SERB and TDB Research grants versus technology finance

Memory Hook

Seventy-one DST, with DBT and DSIR beside; SERB funds, TDB lends, TIFAC forecasts.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for the year, bodies and schemes. These points help.

Role Nodal
Bodies Network
Reform ANRF

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Describe the structure and functions of the Department of Science and Technology and its role in promoting research in India.”

How to Answer

Origin 1971.
Structure Bodies.
Programmes INSPIRE, ICPS.
Reform ANRF.

GS Relevance

Prelims: year, ministry structure, bodies under DST, schemes. GS Paper 3: science and technology institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Department of Science and Technology established?

The Department of Science and Technology was established on 3 May 1971 under the Government of India to promote new areas of science and technology and act as the nodal department for organising and coordinating scientific activity. From 1985 it was part of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Which departments are under the Ministry of Science and Technology?

The Ministry of Science and Technology has three departments: the Department of Science and Technology, formed in 1971, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, formed in 1985, and the Department of Biotechnology, formed in 1986. CSIR works under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

What is NM-ICPS?

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems is a DST mission approved in 2018 with a budget of Rs 3,660 crore over five years. It sets up technology innovation hubs, applied research hubs and training programmes at institutions for technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum and cyber security.

Which autonomous institutes work under DST?

DST supports many autonomous research institutes, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in Dehradun, the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow, the Raman Research Institute, the Bose Institute and the S N Bose Centre in Kolkata.

What is the role of NSTEDB?

The National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, set up in 1982 under DST, promotes entrepreneurship based on science and technology by supporting incubators, training and start-ups. It helps scientists and graduates to turn research into enterprises.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 DST was established in 1971.

True

On 3 May 1971.

2 The Department of Biotechnology was created in 1971.

False

It was created in 1986.

3 The Survey of India works under DST.